Ford Asks For Help Identifying This Mid-Engine Ford Mustang

[shelbydoug]

"Fly on the wall" might be the right train of thought?

[roddster]

  Motor Trend, December of 1969.  It's on the cover.

[KerryBWhite]

just posted today

https://fordauthority.com/2020/04/ford-has-figured-out-what-that-mid-engine-mustang-actually-was/

[shelbydoug]

Yep. Something is stirring over at Ford?

Are they going to resurrect it? Maybe they are going to do a post mortem in relation to reviewing clamor for the C8?

There are "executive aids" that have the responsibility of listening to what the "people" are saying.

Expressions of displeasure with Ford are leaking to the top at Ford maybe?

[FL SAAC]

So glad they read my memo to them

just posted today

https://fordauthority.com/2020/04/ford-has-figured-out-what-that-mid-engine-mustang-actually-was/

[shelbydoug]

So glad they read my memo to them

just posted today

https://fordauthority.com/2020/04/ford-has-figured-out-what-that-mid-engine-mustang-actually-was/

They have never officially acknowledged anything in the past. It's just standard procedure on  their part probably for self preservation?

The Exec's want to go to friendly crowd gathering, not a lynching?

[roddster]

  Maybe it got built behind a wall somewhere in Detroit.

[JD]

They'll re-introduce it with a battery pack...

[shelbydoug]

They'll re-introduce it with a battery pack...

Power train flexibility doesn't hurt but something simple like battery placement in the chassis was never looked at initially.

What I suspect was stumbled upon here though is re-examining the work already done on a mid-engine layout?

Ford already looked at using mostly Mustang components and they could jump a few steps here on catching up to the C8?

I'd be watching for some mid-engined Mustangs running around Dearborn soon?

[Side-Oilers]

IMO, this is a Ford PR stunt.  "Hey, look at us, we had a mid-engined Mustang designed over 50 years ago!"  C8 who? 

[Don Johnston]

Developing a new Ford "crossover"?  Something between an affordable Mustang and the insanely expensive but exotic mid-engine Ford GT maybe as a C8 priced competitor that can be produced in bulk? 

[shelbydoug]

Developing a new Ford "crossover"?  Something between an affordable Mustang and the insanely expensive but exotic mid-engine Ford GT maybe as a C8 priced competitor that can be produced in bulk? 

I'll listen but Ford hasn't implied or suggested anything. Even so, the C8 is still cheaper then a Shelby is. If they do something, it's the better side of proving they can build something. Here, they'd need to be price competitive.

A battle like that between GM and Ford would benefit us all.

I've just got my suspicions that's all? Was that Mach ever sent to Europe for evaluation and never came back. Why not hide it over there?

[Don Johnston]

Maybe something for the phased out GT350 crew to work on for another new series.  But will it be the Mach 2 to go with the Mach E and Bullit inspired Mach I soon to be released?

[Bill Collins]

Some of you may be aware of the home movie shot by Kar Kraft employee Larry Lawrence titled "A tour of Kar Kraft in 1969". It is featured on the Mac's Motor City web site with a link to the actual film on You Tube. You can find it here:
https://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/video-a-tour-of-kar-kraft-in-1969/

Various new Ford performance cars of the era are featured among GT40's and a Trans Am Mustang. Many are identified in the accompanying article. The Mach 2 makes an appearance at 2:28.

Even more interesting is a '69 Sportsroof referred to as the LIDS Mustang, which appears at 4:06. When rear sports slats are lifted at 4:45, the rear backlite is absent and a Boss 429 engine is seen in the rear seat area. Subsequent footage shows the front hood raised to display an empty engine compartment. The Macs site mentions that they featured this car a few weeks earlier than the June 4, 2015 date of this installment, but I could not find anything in their archive. So I wonder what became of this mid engine Mustang?

The video closes with a tour of the Boss 429 assembly line, complete with underneath views of the cars shot from the line pit beneath. Engines awaiting installation are shown on stands - Restorers take note!

This is an altogether quite interesting video, which suffers only from poor visual quality, likely due to the media it was originally shot on. But regardless - Enjoy!

[Don Johnston]

Just a thought.  If Ford is really looking for research assistance that requires the knowledge and time of SAAC members, how about Ford assisting with some sponsorship funds for a SAAC convention or two as an incentive.